Purpose: Children with adenoid hypertrophy commonly have
sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep-disordered breathing is
associated with various neurocognitive problems. The aim of this
study was to assess the cognitive function in those patients using
cognitive event-related potentials.
Methods: Twenty-three patients with moderate to severe
adenoid hypertrophy were compared with 20 healthy controls.
The intelligence quotient was performed for all study
participants. The latencies of the N200, P300 peaks and the
amplitudes of the N200/P300 components of event-related
potentials were recorded. The above variables were measured at
baseline for both patients and control groups and 2 months after
adenoidectomy for the patient group.
Results: There was no significant difference between patients
and controls regarding full intelligence quotient scales. P300
latency was significantly prolonged in patient group
compared with the healthy controls. Moreover,
postoperative P300 latency was significantly reduced
compared with the preoperative P300 latency. Postoperative
P300 latency was not statistically different from healthy
controls’ data.
Conclusions: P300 latency delay may reflect some sort of
cognitive impairment in patients with adenoid hypertrophy.
This delay was reversible after adenoidectomy. Event-related
potentials may help for assessment of cognitive functions in
patients with adenoid hypertrophy.